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Dinosaur tracks are a key means of determining the palaeoecology and distribution of dinosaurs through time. They provide a highly complementary information source to the body (skeletal) fossil record but differ in preserving direct evidence of animals’ interactions with their environment. The UK has a rich history of ∼200 yrs of dinosaur track discovery but no recent synthesis exists. Here, we present a new dataset of dinosaur tracks in the UK. This dataset shows a close correlation between the distribution of terrestrial sediments and the preservation of dinosaur tracks through the Mesozoic, providing discrete snapshots into dinosaur communities in the Upper Triassic, Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous. The dinosaur track record shows similar broad patterns of diversity and relative abundance of the major dinosaur groups (Theropoda, Sauropodomorpha, Ornithopoda, and Thyreophora) through time to the body fossil record, although differs in that body fossils are found (albeit infrequently) in marine sediments. There is a broad trend towards higher numbers of track occurrences through time and a notable increase in the relative abundance of ornithopod tracks following the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. The track record remains an underutilised resource with the potential to provide a much fuller view of Mesozoic dinosaur ecosystems. Supplementary material: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6606634
Dinosaur tracks are a key means of determining the palaeoecology and distribution of dinosaurs through time. They provide a highly complementary information source to the body (skeletal) fossil record but differ in preserving direct evidence of animals’ interactions with their environment. The UK has a rich history of ∼200 yrs of dinosaur track discovery but no recent synthesis exists. Here, we present a new dataset of dinosaur tracks in the UK. This dataset shows a close correlation between the distribution of terrestrial sediments and the preservation of dinosaur tracks through the Mesozoic, providing discrete snapshots into dinosaur communities in the Upper Triassic, Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous. The dinosaur track record shows similar broad patterns of diversity and relative abundance of the major dinosaur groups (Theropoda, Sauropodomorpha, Ornithopoda, and Thyreophora) through time to the body fossil record, although differs in that body fossils are found (albeit infrequently) in marine sediments. There is a broad trend towards higher numbers of track occurrences through time and a notable increase in the relative abundance of ornithopod tracks following the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. The track record remains an underutilised resource with the potential to provide a much fuller view of Mesozoic dinosaur ecosystems. Supplementary material: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6606634
Albian dinosaur tracks from the Monte Grande Formation (Basque-Cantabrian Basin) are described. Sedimentary succession shows seven different facies associations (FA) with four track-bearing levels (levels 1-4) of a braid delta system. The FA4, a proximal crevasse subdelta, preserves in levels 2 and 3 theropod, possibly sauropod and undetermined dinosaur tracks, as well as Ophiomorpha and Skolithos traces. The FA5, a middle crevasse subdelta, presents undetermined cross-section tracks in levels 1 and 4, besides Ophiomorpha, Skolithos and locally Teichichnus in other layers. Both FA have the same general ichnoassociation, although with preservational variations. The sedimentary succession represents an area with periods of crevasse subdelta progradation and colonisation of opportunistic organisms, and other periods of subdelta abandonment represented by short sedimentary hiatuses in which the water sheet would be shallow or even absent and where dinosaurs would be roaming. Particularly, the traces of levels 2 and 3 represent the same ichnocoenosis constituting two different suites and may be envisaged as penecontemporaneous, produced within a short term preservational window. This tracksite is one of the scarce Albian dinosaur ichnological records in the southwestern European island palaeoarchipelago and one of the few worldwide localities where Albian dinosaur tracks have been found in deltaic facies.
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